An 11-year-old elementary student has gone missing while hiking with his family in Juwangsan National Park in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, prompting authorities to continue search efforts for a second day.
According to Yonhap News on May 11, the boy, identified as A, was hiking with his family when he separated from them after visiting a temple in the park on the afternoon of May 10. He was last seen heading toward the summit.
Concerned after A did not return for an extended period, his parents reported him missing to the fire department at 5:53 PM on May 10. A was reportedly hiking without a mobile phone.
Upon receiving the report, police and fire officials immediately deployed personnel and equipment to search for the boy, but as of now, his whereabouts remain unknown.
Reviewing closed-circuit television footage within the national park, authorities have found no indications of foul play.
On the second day of the search, authorities have mobilized 96 personnel, one helicopter, and various search equipment to conduct a focused search in the Juwangsan area.
A is described as approximately 145 cm tall with a slender build and was wearing a Samsung Lions uniform at the time of his disappearance.
During police questioning, A's family mentioned that they had visited the area a year prior but had to turn back because he was struggling. They stated that on the day of his disappearance, he told them he would "just go a little further up" before heading off alone.
Authorities confirmed, "We are conducting a joint search following the report of the boy's disappearance during his hike, and so far, no unusual circumstances have been identified."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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